[Jodie]

I am not sure if I am posting this in the right place but you probably know I am diabetic and I have been since I was 5 and I am now 18 well I also have Thyroid and I take 1 tablet a day for it and I am on 50 micrograms. I got a phone call last week from my local doctors saying I have to go in to get my Thyroid checked but I am not sure what is happening do they take the blood from my arm? if it is from my arm then I will be terrified and I know its strange because I take my own insulin everyday but I cant stand the needle in my arm where they have to take the blood from my vein and my veins are not that clear either so they poke around for abit. I remember when I was at the childs unit and when they took my blood there I could never stay still and I was really scared. I think its just the sight of knowing the needle is going through my vein just makes me scared

[princesslinda]

Jodie, bless your heart...i'm another "needle-phobe" when it comes to having blood drawn. I hate anything coming near my veins....which is ironic, as I worked as a medical assistant drawing blood several times daily for several years...but it wasn't MY arm.

If you're having a thyroid test, however, it will be drawn from your arm. If you are a difficult person to stick (bad veins, or just really afraid), ask that they use a "butterfly syringe" which is what the offices often use on children or those with smaller veins. It may be easier on you than the regular needle. Most offices have these on hand, but don't use them routinely.

Also, they shouldn't be "poking around a lot" after the needle is inserted. A good phlebotomist can usually get you on the first stick...I will let someone have 2 tries ONLY, then they have to get someone else. Might want to tell them ahead of time that you're really nervous about having blood drawn....sharing these concerns may make things easier.

Hang in there....one thing I try and remember when I have to have it done is that it will be over in just a short while.

[Gabby123]

I don't know if this will help but they told me to drink alot of water before drawing blood. It plumps up the vein.They usually use the butterfly on me also.

[susique333]

My daughter takes Synthroid too. She sees her Dr. every 6 months for blood levels and yes, the blood comes from the arm. How long have you been on medication and they havent checked your thyroid levels yet? Asking for a pediatric butterfly is a good idea too.

[xMenace]

Ask for the big chair and look away when they work on you. They always give me a hard time when I ask for the big chair, but I simply ask them with a serious face: "do you think you could scrape me off the floor ok?" They not only buckle under, but they treat me like I'm a child and pamper me silly. I think I just do it for the attention now

[Williampon]

Originally Posted by xMenace

Ask for the big chair and look away when they work on you. They always give me a hard time when I ask for the big chair, but I simply ask them with a serious face: "do you think you could scrape me off the floor ok?" They not only buckle under, but they treat me like I'm a child and pamper me silly. I think I just do it for the attention now

LOL hilarious. I am sooo like that too. it brings back memories everytime I sit in a chair to draw blood. I remember the traumatic episodes I had lol with those needles lol.

[centuryhouse]

I guess I should consider myself fortunate that I have no fear whatsoever of needles. In my case, I went through a lot of allergy testing when I was a kid, so I lost my fear of needles very quickly. When I go to have blood taken, I also ask them to use the butterfly. Mainly because my veins tend to be small and it saves a lot of poking around. I just bruise way to easy!

[slipperyelm]

Jodie, my son was a holy terror when he was a little kid and had to get blood drawn. He was so afraid and angry and indignant about it. But now he is your age and he was hospitalized last week after years of perfect health. The blood draws were not something he welcomed, but it was no longer a big deal to him. Maybe you will be that way, too, since you have pretty much grown up now. It might not be the problem that you are fearing. If you are certain it will be traumatic, them no doubt it will be traumatic. But now you are not a little kid and there are many unpleasant things you can handle that you could not as a 5 year old. Maybe blood samples will be one of them.

A friend had to go through some long treatment to save his life and of course had to have many blood draws. He was almost insane, hyperventilating over just thinking about it. He wanted to overcome his fear, but every time he even thought about it, he would hyperventilate and his heart-rate would skyrocket and he got shakey. If he even talked about the problem, he had to sit down. I'm not sure if he was going into shock at the thought or if he was having an adrenaline "fight or flight" reaction.

Anyway, he wanted to get over his problem and knew he had to get over it to save his life. So you know what he did? He went to a hypnotist (hyno-therapist) who helps people stop smoking! It worked! The hypnotist taught him sort of a self-hypnosis technique and taught him to use patterned breathing to calm himself (in any situation) as the beginning of his self hypnosis. So along with the hypnosis the therapist did, it really worked like a charm. The medical people completely understood and approved and would give him a half minute to "collect himself" before the blood draw. A half minute is all it took....Just to let you know there are alternatives if it is really bad for you.

[Jodie]

Just got back and the nurse did it straight away I couldnt believe it I was so scared though and I was tense she kept telling me to straighten my arm but I couldn't because I was that scared. She was saying so your use to needles then and I said yes taking the insulin is fine but I hate having this one and I told her they always have trouble getting my blood. She used a black needle and she said tell the hospital to look for the small vein in your left arm all through it I was just thinking of positive things and I stayed still which is not normal for me. I just hate the sight of veins and that amount of blood I think if I looked at the tube I might have fainted. Feel quite faint now and abit drowsy Isnt it weird though how I dont mind taking the insulin but when it comes to that one I cant stand it

[princesslinda]

Jodie, i'm so glad you've gotten the blood draw over with...I know how much I dread them myself....but, you survived it, and the next one will probably be much easier! Good for you!

[morrisma]

Glad you got it done and I hope it gets easier for you.

When I used to give plasma in college, they'd give me a cookie and $10 for donating. Now I can't get either!
Mike

[jjordie]

I have just found this thread Jodie and thought I would pass on a tip
that could help as no-one has been worse than me for having blood tests. I too used to nearly faint, until somebody told me - since then I've had at least six done with no problems!

Take a hot 'wheat bag' - you don't indicate if you live in UK so hopefully you can get one - and hold it on your arm where they take the blood for a good five minutes before they do it.
It draws blood to the surface so they don't have to poke about to find your vein and also somehow the heat seems to numb the skin so you honestly won't feel anything!!!

Let us know if it helps next time!

[fgummett]

Great minds think alike jjordie... I was just about to suggest anything that helps to keep the arm warm and bring the veins to the surface will make it easier to find them: loose-fitting long-sleeved sweater or cardigan, hang your arm down by your side, applied warmth such as your suggested wheat or "Miracle" bag (I'm using one as I write this for a stiff neck/headache).

Well done to you Jodie... I usually have to look away and think nice thoughts... it's all over before you know it. I also go to the clinic; where that is all they do all day and once they have found a good vein I remember where it is to point out for the next time.